CEs Available: 25     |     Four Day Training      |     In-person

This training is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of the Theraplay model. After completing this training, participants will be able to begin applying Theraplay principles into their work with existing and new clients. For more information about this training, click here.

Additional Information

Schedule

This is a four day training taking place June 26-29, 2023 from 8:30am-4:30pm Eastern Time each day. View this training’s detailed agenda.

Required Text

The third edition of  Theraplay: Helping Parents and Children Build Better Relationships Through Attachment-Based Play is required for this training. Read Chapters 1, 2 and 4 of your book prior to the training, or during the course of the training week, and bring it with you for reference each day during (All other materials will be provided on the first day of training). Purchase here.

Trainer

Donna Gates, MA, LCPC, is a Certified Theraplay® Practitioner and Trainer, formerly in private practice at David L. Gates and Associates in Illinois, but now living in Bluffton, SC near Hilton Head Island. For 18 years she did individual, couples, and family therapy as well as domestic violence treatment, anger management treatment for adults and children, and parenting training and consultation.

Summary

   – Principles of attachment theory on an intellectual and experiential level
   – The Four Dimensions of Theraplay
   – The Theraplay protocol
   – An introduction to the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM): administration, analysis and as a guide for treatment planning
   – Adapting Theraplay for working with children and families impacted by complex trauma and other populations
   – Managing resistance throughout the treatment process
   – Managing countertransference in your work  with children and families
   – Implementing Theraplay into your practice

Learning Objectives

    1. Differentiate three play, attachment-based theories and how they support the work of Theraplay
    2. Define how children with various attachment styles present in play therapy sessions
    3. Explain the benefits of using the MIM in your play therapy practice
    4. Arrange the MIM play therapy assessment tool
    5. Analyze the MIM at a beginning level to benefit families in play therapy
    6. Construct a play therapy treatment plan based upon the MIM analysis
    7. Classify three play therapy goals to be achieved during a MIM feedback session with parents
    8. Describe the four dimensions of Theraplay, a modality of play therapy
    9. Indicate one play-based activity from each dimension: Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge.
    10. List three possible ways of adapting Theraplay into play therapy treatment to meet the needs of a child with complex trauma
    11. State how to guide parents to participate in a Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, in treatment session
    12. Specify how to prepare parents to use Theraplay play therapy techniques at home to further therapeutic goals
    13. Express how various parent attachment styles present in play therapy sessions
    14. Demonstrate adapting Theraplay play therapy techniques to three different populations of families
    15. Apply Theraplay techniques to work through resistance in play therapy sessions
    16. Practice how to adapt Theraplay activities for children of different ages
    17. Explain how to prepare for termination of Theraplay treatment
    18. Evaluate how the clinician is impacted by the functioning of parents and children in play therapy sessions
    19. Identify two types of clients for whom Theraplay would not be an appropriate play therapy modality

Who Should Attend?

People who work with children and families in many different capacities will benefit from training programs offered by The Theraplay Institute. Visit our Who Should Attend page for more information. This course’s Content Level is Intermediate.

Bibliography

View this training’s bibliography for books and other materials referenced in the development of the content for this program.

Notes

For information about our CE process, cancellation policy, and how to contact us with questions and concerns visit our FAQ page. Attendance of the entirety of a program (in-person or virtual) is required in order to receive continuing education or a letter of completion.

There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.

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